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Nora as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Nora

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The baby name Nora is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced NOR-ə (English respelling),/ˈnɔːrə/ (British),/ˈnoʊrə/ (American).

Nora is French, Irish, Latin in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: French, Irish, Latin
Pronunciation: NOR-ə (English respelling),/ˈnɔːrə/ (British),/ˈnoʊrə/ (American)

What is the meaning of the name Nora ?

The baby name Nora is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced NOR-ə (English respelling),/ˈnɔːrə/ (British),/ˈnoʊrə/ (American).

Nora is French, Irish, Latin in Origin.

Nora is a cross-cultural diminutive turned standalone. In Ireland, Nóra stems from Honora/Annora, ultimately Latin honor “honor, esteem.” In continental Europe it truncates Eleanora/Leonora and Eleanor, a medieval French-Occitan name of debated origin, often associated with Helen and the idea of “light.” It also overlaps with Arabic Nura/Noura, from nūr “light.” Together, meanings commonly given are “honor” and “light.”

As an independent given name, Nora appears widely in 19th-century records and gained literary sheen via Ibsen’s A Doll’s House (1879). It enjoyed early-20th-century popularity in the U.S. and saw a strong revival from the 1990s onward; it is now fashionable across Europe and Scandinavia. Variants and relatives include Norah, Nóra (Irish/Hungarian), Noora (Finnish), Nura/Noura and Noor/Nur (Arabic), as well as longer forms Eleanor, Eleanora, Leonora, Honora, and Annora.

Nora has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Nora

Awkwafina Actor|musician · Born 1988 · United States Awkwafina, born Nora Lum, is an American actor and musician known for her breakout role in the film 'Crazy Rich Asians'. She also starred in 'The Farewell' and voiced a character in 'Raya and the Last Dragon'. Nora Fatehi Actor · Born 1992 · Morocco Nora Fatehi is a Moroccan actor and dancer best known for her work in the Indian film industry. She gained fame with her performances in hit songs like 'Dilbar' and 'O Saki Saki'. Born in 1992, she has become a popular figure in Bollywood for her dynamic dance skills and charismatic screen presence. Nora Arnezeder Actor · Born 1989 · France Nora Arnezeder is a French actor best known for her role in the film 'The Words'. She also appeared in 'Safe House' and the TV series 'Mozart in the Jungle'.
Nora Zehetner Actor · Born 1981 · United States Nora Zehetner is an American actress best known for her role as Laura in the film 'Brick'. She also appeared in the TV series 'Heroes' and 'Grey's Anatomy'. Born in 1981, she has built a diverse career in both film and television. Nora Tschirner Actor · Born 1981 · Germany Nora Tschirner is a German actor best known for her role in the film 'Keinohrhasen'. Born in 1981, she has also starred in 'Tatort' and 'Kebab Connection'. Nora Aunor Actor · Born 1953 · Philippines Nora Aunor is a beloved Filipino actor, best known for her role in the film 'Himala'. She has captivated audiences with her performances in movies like 'Thy Womb' and 'Bona'. Her contributions to Philippine cinema have made her a household name.

Celebrity babies named Nora

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Nora Guthrie Woody Guthrie singer ★★★★★
Nora Bateson Gregory Bateson film director ★★★★★
Nora Kenny Jill Talley television actor ★★★★★ Tom Kenny television actor ★★★★★

Nora – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 — 874
Germany Girls 2025 #1 — 411
Norway Girls 2025 #3 357 453
NL Girls 2014 #7 417 73
Switzerland Girls 2024 #9 241 1,786
Belgium Girls 2024 #13 284 424
Canada Girls 2024 #14 724 2,795
MY Girls 0 #15 7,173 24,821
Austria Girls 2024 #16 332 60
SA Girls 0 #16 7,235 25,931
DJ 0 #17 1 322
HN 0 #19 4 704
BN Girls 0 #20 108 5,459
KW Girls 0 #21 1,749 19,177
United States Girls 2024 #22 6,128 8,487
BN 0 #24 9 2,297
HN Girls 0 #26 11 884
KR Boys 0 #27 1 897
DJ Girls 0 #29 1 488
BI Girls 0 #33 1 726
MV Girls 0 #33 3 2,021
TM Girls 0 #35 1 574
Sweden Girls 2022 #36 255 1,568
ID 0 #39 1 2,238
EG Girls 0 #42 28,327 14,742
GE 0 #43 2 997
MT 0 #43 1 1,767
MO 0 #47 6 2,706
SI Girls 0 #47 181 2,769
LU 0 #53 14 2,830
PR 0 #54 2 1,497
CY 0 #58 3 1,632
AL 0 #64 12 2,372
QA Girls 0 #64 365 15,378
SI 0 #64 16 1,612
BG 0 #68 13 1,799
HU 0 #70 47 1,675
AR Girls 0 #75 2,634 8,289
AF 0 #76 1 1,883
JP 0 #76 2 4,057
AO 0 #77 1 2,729
CN 0 #80 7 3,857
AE Girls 0 #83 824 20,968
IQ Girls 0 #83 981 11,303
RS 0 #83 2 923
ID Girls 0 #84 15 3,319
LT 0 #84 5 949
QA 0 #85 16 7,011
AF Girls 0 #92 3 2,402
KW 0 #92 25 5,216
GE Girls 0 #93 12 1,564
JM 0 #93 1 3,714
KZ 0 #93 2 1,452
France Girls 2021 #94 568 3,185
MY 0 #94 281 12,352
TW 0 #95 9 4,523
HU Girls 0 #96 202 3,308
SD 0 #97 6 2,130
EG 0 #98 843 6,387
CY Girls 0 #105 17 3,755
OM 0 #107 10 6,215
PH 0 #107 4 5,607
SD Girls 0 #108 428 7,678
IQ 0 #110 20 3,533
MA 0 #114 16,297 20,986
PA 0 #116 15 3,797
EC 0 #119 3 2,502
LY 0 #119 861 12,703
AL Girls 0 #120 115 4,141
RS Girls 0 #120 16 1,651
LU Girls 0 #121 67 4,850
BG Girls 0 #122 111 3,559
JO 0 #124 14 2,158
AR 0 #125 62 2,915
OM Girls 0 #125 313 15,987
GR 0 #127 9 3,911
EE Girls 0 #129 10 1,888
PR Girls 0 #131 31 3,171
CO Girls 0 #133 7,592 16,140
BN Boys 0 #134 6 6,332
ID Boys 0 #135 1 4,130
SA 0 #135 172 10,560
AE 0 #142 36 10,220
CR 0 #143 16 5,526
PH Girls 0 #143 307 13,098
GR Girls 0 #144 102 6,293
JO Girls 0 #145 315 7,570
MT Girls 0 #148 6 3,773
PS Girls 0 #150 692 10,981
SG Girls 0 #150 742 18,916
BW Girls 0 #151 1 4,216
BO Girls 0 #159 1,100 9,488
Finland Girls 0 #160 451 1,368
HR 0 #164 16 2,081
Austria 0 #165 49 850
UY 0 #166 12 2,477
CZ 0 #168 18 3,154
PE Girls 0 #172 2,874 14,861
HU Boys 0 #174 1 3,954
CL Girls 0 #175 2,603 14,098
HR Girls 0 #179 135 3,687
LT Girls 0 #179 16 1,904
Finland 0 #182 144 830
YE 0 #186 240 8,639
UY Girls 0 #187 584 6,731
MO Girls 0 #188 64 7,056
RU 0 #189 6 3,641
GT Girls 0 #191 438 7,500
PS 0 #191 28 5,692
GH Girls 0 #194 153 6,973
MX Girls 0 #194 5,048 17,781
Finland Girls 2026 #197 2,179 3,895
DK 0 #200 7 5,198
IL Girls 0 #201 699 11,648
EC Girls 0 #202 38 3,650
CR Girls 0 #207 465 11,342
AO Girls 0 #209 9 4,575
SG 0 #209 61 11,010
GH 0 #210 34 5,396
SI Boys 0 #210 2 3,402
PL 0 #212 1 2,600
IR 0 #213 17 4,221
TW Girls 0 #213 64 8,139
MX 0 #214 220 8,339
NA Girls 0 #214 11 7,146
DK Girls 0 #216 104 7,429
Spain Girls 0 #218 2,506 5,561
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
JP Girls 0 #225 21 6,592
Austria Girls 0 #227 235 1,885
SY 0 #227 1,113 11,684
DZ 0 #231 3,220 20,130
CN Girls 0 #234 119 8,829
MO Boys 0 #234 1 5,842
BD 0 #237 5 5,992
Germany Girls 0 #243 1,299 4,949
JM Girls 0 #243 17 7,507
IL 0 #244 31 6,291
NG 0 #244 21 5,926
PE 0 #244 67 6,350
EC Boys 0 #246 1 3,322
AO Boys 0 #249 1 5,568
PT 0 #249 2 4,161
GT 0 #250 65 5,948
NA Boys 0 #250 4 6,830
PA Girls 0 #251 269 9,861
Germany 0 #265 188 2,542
CO 0 #267 265 7,768
CZ Girls 0 #267 76 5,378
BO 0 #269 113 6,868
GR Boys 0 #272 2 6,912
AF Boys 0 #274 1 3,535
AL Boys 0 #287 12 5,122
KZ Girls 0 #290 31 5,862
KZ Boys 0 #295 2 6,578
NL Girls 0 #299 1,150 5,933
NG Girls 0 #300 849 15,093
CZ Boys 0 #305 1 6,530
Spain 0 #313 144 2,326
CL 0 #316 97 6,867
HK 0 #319 30 8,483
EG Boys 0 #323 1,064 15,035
NL 0 #325 67 2,481
BH 0 #326 233 17,937
CN Boys 0 #330 2 9,639
DK Boys 0 #330 3 7,401
MU Girls 0 #332 20 8,539
PL Girls 0 #337 18 5,096
IT Girls 0 #342 3,523 9,415
HK Girls 0 #344 316 16,104
BR 0 #359 2 5,969
GH Boys 0 #359 3 8,138
JO Boys 0 #360 18 7,057
RU Girls 0 #361 141 11,913
BD Girls 0 #362 25 8,413
MU Boys 0 #369 1 8,477
PT Boys 0 #380 2 7,951
PH Boys 0 #405 4 11,440
UY Boys 0 #408 6 5,922
IR Girls 0 #421 110 8,334
SD Boys 0 #434 12 10,523
ZA 0 #434 14 14,421
PT Girls 0 #436 16 7,952
AR Boys 0 #437 31 7,628
CM Girls 0 #446 95 11,671
LB 0 #470 193 13,263
GT Boys 0 #494 6 7,625
IT 0 #494 230 4,183
PA Boys 0 #503 3 9,305
CR Boys 0 #507 4 10,188
PS Boys 0 #523 26 10,655
RU Boys 0 #524 3 12,621
HK Boys 0 #556 2 12,905
IR Boys 0 #558 8 10,162
IQ Boys 0 #562 106 13,071
CM Boys 0 #571 5 12,054
BO Boys 0 #578 15 9,244
IL Boys 0 #581 27 10,983
BD Boys 0 #603 3 10,045
IN Girls 0 #617 15 13,121
TN 0 #627 213 13,765
CL Boys 0 #639 27 13,390
KW Boys 0 #670 100 18,755
SG Boys 0 #683 15 17,960
QA Boys 0 #684 24 18,093
ZA Girls 0 #767 409 25,928
CO Boys 0 #839 82 15,656
PE Boys 0 #848 31 14,506
OM Boys 0 #855 27 17,948
BR Girls 0 #874 68 12,708
Spain Boys 0 #892 39 5,610
United States Boys 2020 #893 6 7,187
TR 0 #898 334 19,440
MX Boys 0 #921 62 16,355
NG Boys 0 #933 19 16,906
Germany Boys 0 #938 15 5,697
MY Boys 0 #940 172 25,439
NL Boys 0 #942 10 5,873
IN Boys 0 #1,037 3 16,750
AE Boys 0 #1,055 38 22,615
ZA Boys 0 #1,152 27 25,619
SA Boys 0 #1,216 407 28,008
IT Boys 0 #1,413 59 10,046

Nora is popular in 94 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Norway
Ireland
NL
Canada

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Nora

Nora is predominantly a girl's name.
Nora is a 2 syllable name, pronounced NOR-ə (English respelling),/ˈnɔːrə/ (British),/ˈnoʊrə/ (American).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Norah, Nóra, Noora, Nura, Norie and Nor.
Across languages, Nora has these equivalents: Honora (Latin), Eleanor/Eleonora (related), Noor/Nur (Arabic, 'light').
Yes, very popular — Nora ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 14 countries.
Nora ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Nora's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2015 to #1 in 2025 in Ireland.
Yes — 12 notable people named Nora are in our database, including Awkwafina (Actor|musician), Nora Fatehi (Actor), Nora Arnezeder (Actor).
Yes — at least 3 celebrity couples have chosen Nora for their child, including Woody Guthrie.